Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-13
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12-Mr. Springer, of
Illinois, presented the petition of Owen
G. Chase. who claims to be elected dele
gate from the territory of Cimarron,
commonly known as the public land
strip" In his petition Mr.. Chase details
the efforts of the people of the territory,
who were without the protection of local
or general laws, to form provisional
council and territorial government. Mr.
Springer offered resolution referring the
petition of Mr. Chase to the committee on
territories when appointed, and extending
the privileges of the floor to that gentle
man until the appointment of the com
mittee.
Mr. Peters, of Kansas, urged the neces-
sitv of some legislation touching No Mans
Land, which at present was out of the pale
of United States law. He said that Mr.
Chase should have the privileges of the
floor so that members who wished for in
formation relative to the territory might
receive without having to go TO the lobby
to meet Chase.
Mr. Blount, of Georgia, inquired whether
the territory of Cimarr0n had been recOg
nized by the United States.
Mr. Springer replied that it had not, but
recalled the fact that California had not
been recognized until after it had formed
provisional government.
Mr. Cox, of New York, said the circum-
stances attending the admission of Cali
forna had given rise to infinite trouble,
and lie did not think that a contest as TO Il
territory in future should be brought up
in the house before the adoption of any
rules.
Mr. Blount took the same view OF the
case and opposed the latter part of Mr.
Springers resolution.
Mr.. jackson. of Pennsylvania, thought
that it was not contemplated that this
small strip OF land should be organized
into territory and admitted as n state,
and he regarded it as dangerous to admit
to the floor 4 gentleman who was here in
the character of a lobbyist
After further brief discussion, the res
olution and petition We're laid on the
table
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, offered a
resolution requesting the secretary of war
to cause an examination to be made of the
harbor of St. Joseph. Mich, with a view
of finding what further improvements are
needed. Referred
Speaker Carlisle having called upon Mr.
Crisp, of Georgia, to preside over the
house. stepped down upon the floor and
addressed the chair as follows: 1T is well
known that there is a contest pending
which makes it improper for me as pre-
siding officer of the house, to appoint
left the chair, therefore, for the
purpose of asking the house
10 excuse me from the performance of that
duty, and take such proceedings in this
matter as its Judgment may dictate.
have no suggestion 10 make, except to say
that the formation of the other commit
tees of the house will be facilitated by hay
Iie,,ps,I of b., II;
day that will suit the convenience of the
members.
Mr. Holman. of Indiana, offered a reso-
luton that the house will, at 10 o'clock to-
morrow. proceed TO elect fifteen members
VINO will constitute the committee on
elections of the present session.
Mr.. Turner. of Georgia, could not &C
necessity for the speaker 10 lay aside his
usual functions. He, for one.
believed that the speaker WAS
better informed about the membership
of the house than anybody else and was
the proper person TO be responsible for the
character of the committees The embar-
easements under which the speaker labored
arose from 4 single contest involving his
own title and he (Turnerl thought thar the
speaker should ne relieved from the EN-
barrassment of appointing the tribunal
which was to consider his case That was
as far as the speaker and the house should
go. He therefore offered as a substitute
for Mr.. Holman 5 resolution providing for
the election, by the house, OF a special com
mittee TO hear and decide upon the Thobe-
Carlisle contest. This. he said. would per
init the speaker TO appoint the committee
which would try all other election con
tests. The substitute was rejected and Mr..
Holman's resolution adopted.
hr. LAWYER of Illinois. offered a reSolu-
tlon calling on the SECRETARY of the treasury
for information a. 10 whether the amount
I received from the internal revenue tax of
two cents pound on oleomargarine. is
necessary for present or future revenues Of
the government, and whether the abroga
ton of that tax would beneiicially diminish
the treasury surplus: also, whether Il ap-
pears afirnatiyely that the imposition az
the oleomargarine tax operates IN prevent
the consumer from using a product dele.
tarlous to the pahlie health: also, W het her
the imposition OF this tax is not in contra
vention Of the views of the president as ex-
pressed in his message.
On motion of Mr.. Mills the resolution
was laid on the table.
A number of propositions 10 amend the
rules were submitted, to be referred, and
! the house adjourned.